MY ANCESTRY

Thanur (Thavanur), Thrikkandiyur, Chaliyam, Thriprangode etc., some provinces were under one administration known in the name of Vettathu or Vettathu Nadu (Nadu means Province in Malayalam).  It was also called as ‘Thanoor Swaroopam’ – ‘Swaroopam’ is the local form of self-government. 

In course of the ‘64 Gramam’ of Namboothirys of Kerala, Vettathu Nadu belongs to ‘Chowara Gramam’.  Queen Gangadhara Lakshmi of Kochi had adopted children from Vettathu Nadu because of this background of Chowara Gramam. (Rani Gangadhara Lakshmi -1656-58).

Hinduism is the word used by the invaders on a group of civilized province east of River Sindhu, which is not a Religion or faith, but a long aged civilization on the concept of “Unity in diversity with Diversity in Unity” (This is said somewhere in this web-log), which splitted again and again  many a times based on social obligations, nature of works,  life styles, opinions, principles, goals, etc., viz.,  communities, casts, colours,  family traditions, associations, organizations,  political parties, unions, federations, and so on., which are all different group on similar  themes)  and still under growth and development

The competitions among the Swaroopams, had inspired each of them to support the foreigners and Vettathu Swaroopam  had to extend support to Portuguese.  Portuguese had the very mission and tendency to adopt (conversion of faith of) local people to Christianity, by every possible ways and they preferred the top personnel of the Society.  The then-Ruler of Thanoor had been taken away to Goa and baptized as Christian with a grand celebration under a priest called Anthonio Gomus.  The trap was the offer that Portuguese would help and make him to be the Ruler of the whole Keralam.  The Thanur Ruler was nursing a grudge against the neighbouring  Zamorin which lead him to fell in the trap of Portuguese.  It was this King who granted permission to Portuguese to construct the Chaliyam Fort.

Kings of Vettathu Nadu had been encouraging arts and literature and their contribution had the deserving return and there is a ‘Vettathu Sampradaayam’ in the Kathakali of Kerala. (Sampradaayam means Culture).

Thunjath Ezhuthachan, the Valmiki  of Kerala, was born in Thiroor, (16th Century) which is a part belonged to Vettathu Nadu.

In spite of many Kings of India,  who constructed huge palaces with jewel and marbles, the kings of Kerala were leading very simple life-style.  Hamilton who visited Kerala during 1703 says that the “Palace of Kadathu Nadu is built of bamboo and coconut leaves”.  They were rich and their rich was reflected in the life-style of the people and not in the rulers.  “One for all and all for one” was the ever existing principles in their mind.  They were wearing a dhothi without veiling above waist and there may be ornaments of one or two in their ears and neck and wrist, as a part of their identity on social occasions, that also very rarely.   They were dedicated themselves for the welfare of the people and leisure was utilized for the contributions to arts and literature - the encouragement of civilization.   The jews who had to fled from their own country were treated passionately by the Kings of Kerala was an example.  Many Budh and Jain Vihars in Kerala are the examples of how they were welcomed to this country by then-kings.  ‘Mavi Mekhala’ wrote by Chathanar says that when the ‘Kaveripoompattanam’ immersed in sea and when Kanjeepuram was badly affected by famine, the kings of Kerala offered every protection and food to those refugees in ‘Vanchi Nadu’ and other provinces.

While looking back to the history, this region of India was consisting of mainly three places – ‘Aay’ at South from Nagercoil to Thiruvalla;  'Cheras' in the middle for Kuttanadu and Kudanadu and then ‘Poozhi Nadu’ to northern parts of Kerala and western parts of Mountain "Sahya".  Foreigners known it as ‘Malabar’ only and there was no other names.   In addition to these three, there were a lot of tribal kingdoms – Kolli Mala, Paranki Mala, Pazhi Mala, and so on. – then comes Kulasekhara dynasty (Perumals) who ruled this part till 12^th Century.

Kulasekhara empire was scattered  due to frequent attacks by the Cholas from East and then about 32 Swaroopams (self-government) were born – Venad, Attingal, Karunagappally, Karthikappally, Kayamkulam, Purakkad, Panthalam, Thekkumkore, Vadakkumkore, Poonjar, Karappuram, Kochi, Edappally, Parvur, Alangad, Kodungallur, Airoor, Thalappilly, Valluvanad, Kollamkode, Palakkad, Kavalappara, Vettathunadu, Kozhikkode, Kadathunadu, Kottayam, Kurungoth, Randathara, Kurumpuranad, Kolathunadu, Neeleswaram, Kumbala and so on.  There was as such a proverb that “..for keeping two steps forward, ask permission of three kings.” which shows the number of divisions.

The history says that the Vettathu Swaroopam was diminished  by the beginning of 18^th Century, during Tippu Sultan's invasion till 1799 and forcible conversion of people of defeated areas.   Thus Ponnani became famous for Muslim rule and the place for conversion.   Ali Raja and his brother, Sheikh Ali,  who were trustworthy lords of Kolathiri Swaroopam,  betrayed Kolathiri and nearby Swaroopams, with a body of over 8,000 Mappilas (Muslim converts - name derived from Macca Pillai, Ma-Pillai) and opened the doors for Tippu Sultan.  None of the Hindu Rajas in Malabar at that time was under the tutelage of the British or any other European power.  Hyder as well as his son Tippu were invaded for for wealth, but for strengthen the Islam Religion by destroying everything on the way and forcibly converting to Islam every Hindu warrior defeated or captured by betrayals or false offers, when the remaining three sisters of Vettathu Swaroopam were fled away who found a refuge in Chalakudy, where the history of Thekke Madam starts.